There are two sides to every story, and Alton Little Theater’s upcoming special production of “Buying the Moose” allows a glimpse at how husbands and wives see things very differently in the midst of horrible misunderstandings.

The new Canadian play, by Michael Wilmont, is a witty comedy about how couples communicate. Or more to the point — how they don’t communicate. Or maybe, miscommunicate.

Lee Cox directs “Buying the Moose,” whose title refers to “making an error in judgment and then trying to cover it up as long as possible.” But don’t be surprised if you do see a moose — and a lot of moose-related memorabilia.

The show’s particular mix-up that starts Rob (played by Sawyer Burton), and his wife, Betty (Christy Luster) down a bumpy road in their marriage, occurs when Betty comes home and finds Rob doing something that looks bad — but he claims it’s not what it seems.

Rob seeks advice from his big brother, Greg (Brant McCance), while Betty cries on the shoulder of her sister-in-law — Greg’s wife, Cheryl (Robyn Couch). A taxi ride, a tattoo and one moose later, the four just might come to a new understanding.

“Buying the Moose” explores the differences (and similarities) between men and women, especially when it comes to the subject of marriage. Audiences are given the unique opportunity to see how both the men and women interpret the same situation.

Disc jockey McCance also has a degree in theater. He believes his character is a good representation of just about every man who will be sitting in the audience — in one way or another.

“As the story unfolds, Greg becomes bewildered, when all semblance of control (as he sees it) is shattered when his wife becomes infuriated with him,” McCance said.

As far as challenges of the production, McCance said keeping his character on an even keel, while remaining three-dimensional was at times, difficult.

“Because of the situation and his ‘guy’s guy’ attitude, it would be very easy to play him as angry and overbearing, but I’ve had to discover his softer side and find the moments for him to be sympathetic toward his brother, whose wife has just left him,” he said.

McCance, who said he’s always been somewhat of a class clown, was raised on comedy like Abbott and Costello, The Muppets, Jonathan Winters, and his idol (who he actually met several years ago), Robin Williams.

“Comedy is actually very hard to do right. It’s easy to get drawn into the pitfall of forcing the comedy. As you play these kinds of characters, you have to honestly believe and live in their situations no matter how absurd or illogical it may seem to the ‘normal’ way of doing things,” he said.

He credits much of his success in the play to Cox.

“From day one, Lee drew us into her vision of the show. Her expertise as a sex therapist has helped out several times as we continue to delve into the differences in communication between the sexes,” McCance said. “Her excitement for this show and the theater is infectious.”

McCance has previously played a murderer in “Macbeth” and a hooligan in “The Grapes of Wrath.” At Alton Little Theater, he has appeared in “9 to 5,” “Alone Together,” “Last of the Red Hot Lovers” and recently, played Uncle Fester in “The Addams Family.”

“Community theaters allow residents the chance to see and participate in art at a fraction of the cost of Broadway, and they are accessible to everyone,” McCance said. “ALT is unique in that it is the oldest operating nonprofit theater in Illinois and that was achieved by continuing to strive for high quality and entertaining productions and special shows like ‘Buying the Moose.’”

The script is wordy, almost like a Stephen Sondheim musical — fast paced with several lines that are identical — and McCance said it can be a challenge to find the key moments around those lines.

Cox said “Buying the Moose” is a huge challenge in memorization, and believes that its funny predicaments are relatable to people from those who are not yet married to others who have been married 50 years.

One interesting fact that came to light while in production is the people who came forward to offer parts of their own “moose” collections to be used in the show. Longtime actor and director and current Alton Little Theater President Kevin Frakes borrowed a large “Moose-in-the-Woods” painting from his sister, Linda, as part of the set.

“Two women offered to help set the tone of the show by loaning their cherished ‘chocolate’ moose and over 50 items of ‘moose memorabilia,’” Cox noted. “Who knew people had moose collections?”

Cox and Burton are producing a customized “Moose Tracks” soundtrack of love songs from all genres.

The show will open with a comedic routine featuring Cox, Frakes and Gail Drillinger as the “Love Doctors.”

“Buying the Moose” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17 and Saturday, Feb. 18; and, at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19. Tickets cost $15. Ann Badasch of My Just Desserts will prepare a chocolate dessert buffet; Michael Cox created a special love potion punch — both are complimentary with the purchase of tickets, which are available by calling 618-462-3205 or at www.altonlittletheater.org.